The chairs weren't that bad. Wooden chairs, pretty well made… but they were old and they looked the part. They'd come unglued in places, they were split here and there, a chunk out of places where they'd been dropped or hit by something, and the varnish was wearing away.

To most people… they were just 4 old chairs. Some people may have used them anyway. They still worked after all. Most people would have taken them to the thrift store. But not me.

I saw POTENTIAL! Maybe it's because I'm living on a missionary budget… but in my mind I could see 4 of the most amazing chairs- with a little work.

They needed to be repaired first. Next would be sanding, then painting them black to match our dining room. Then I had this idea to hand paint words across their backs; FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, and PEACE. Then they'd be perfect! Beautiful! Exactly what I wanted!

I thought this project would be easy. I didn't really expect it to take too long… and then, I got rushed. I wanted them done in time for a Christmas party, and only Dad had the tools to repair them. I rushed him. He did a job that would work and be "okay", and sent them my way. Not a good start.

I tried to ignore the places that were coming unglued, and I started sanding. WHEW! Sanding is hard work! Much harder than I expected! I'd done small projects before, but nothing like this! I put it aside for another day.

By the time the Christmas party rolled around, I had one night to finish the chairs. I sanded furiously. I decided it was "good enough" and I started painting. DISASTER ensued.

The chairs looked HORRIBLE. The broken places showed even through the black covering. Why didn't I take the time to really fix them?! Paint ran and pooled where the varnish hadn't been sanded off enough. There were so many places I'd missed! I was so discouraged. But as I kept trying to paint the disaster in front of me, God began to speak.

"You have POTENTIAL Ericka—the potential to be something beautiful and amazing! When I look at you, I don't see something I want to throw away. I don't even see something I want to use "as is".

I could use you as you are—the way you are would "do"- but to Me, that is not enough. I want to do incredible things in you! I want to use you in ways that will astound you! But first… there is work to be done.

First, I have to make some repairs. I have to fix the broken places. The ways you've been abused, misused, and injured. I can heal the wounds you have… if you'll let me.

Next, I have to sand away the rough spots. I have to sand and scrape away everything in you that doesn't look like me. It will be painful, but it is necessary for you to reach your full potential.

Only after you have been repaired and sanded can I begin to paint. Only then can I cover you with more of me. Only then can I write my character, my virtues- FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, and PEACE across you. Only then will you be the BEST that you can be - the most beautiful and incredible creation, perfected by the hand of the Master. Only then can I use you for the BEST future I could plan. Only then will you be ready!

"I want to do a beautiful work in you Ericka… will you let me?"

Please pray for me as I venture into a new season God is inviting me to—a time to focus more on Him; to go deeper, further, higher with Him—to understand His love for me better, to learn to love Him more, and to seek a singleness of heart and mind.